MTSU students enrolled in an entry-level class known as Media Writing recently wrote, videotaped and produced the entire January edition of Middle Tennessee Record, a 30-minute cable-TV program about the people, places and events of this region.
The completion of the January program, which is broadcast throughout the month on local cable channels, including at 5 p.m. daily on Murfreesboro’s cable Channel 9 and at 1:30 p.m. Sundays on News5+, marks the first time MTR has been an entirely student-created production.
“This project was beneficial in a number of ways. First of all, the students brought a fresh perspective to the stories. Second it gave them a chance to get involved in a hands-on project in which they had to meet several critical deadlines, and it was inspiring for us to work closely with students and see our video production process through fresh eyes,” said John Lynch, the show’s creator and producer.
The 18 students who created the broadcast were enrolled in a fall 2007 course taught by Lisa L. Rollins, who divided the class into six broadcast teams of three students. Each team created its own segment for the January program.
“Although I’ve taught this course and covered writing for broadcast as part of the curriculum since 1997, until now we’ve never had the opportunity to give the students such a hands-on, tangible experience in regard to this form of media writing,” Rollins said. “It was a wonderful opportunity, and a tremendous amount of extra effort on everyone’s part, but the final result is well worth the investment. The students will always have access to a program they created and brought to life, not just notes about how broadcast writing is done.”
Regarding her JOUR 2710 experience, Hendersonville sophomore Shyanne Coe said, “It has been a wonderful experience and the most in-depth survey course I’ve had. I have written a broadcast segment, a press release and (had a story published) in a local paper. Where else can you get that kind of experience in a survey class?”
The program, airing through Jan. 31, will include segments on the following:
* MTSU Dairy, an agriscience/agribusiness program that does it all, “from the grass to the glass.”
* MTSU’s brand-new songwriting degree
* The on- and off-campus job/career outlook for today’s college students.
* What actually goes into creating a college textbook versus the prices.
* SimMan, who’s helping teach nursing students
* Voting habits of college students and ways for students to become more politically informed.
For more information on broadcast times or to view the program online, visit mtsunews.com.
